Comelec erred in blocking genuine partylist from 2013 elections

The Commission on Elections has disqualified the Kalikasan party list from participating in the 2013 national elections.

We, the National Executive Council and members of Kalikasan, do not agree with the Comelec’s decision denying us accreditation.

We previously lauded the Comelec’s move to purge the existing list of bogus party lists of politicians and the wealthy elite. Indeed, these should have been disqualified from the electoral arena long ago.

However, the Comelec should have been more discerning in its drive to purge the party-list system of bogus party lists and should have been more careful to avoid becoming an unwitting tool for depriving certain sectors of genuine representation in Congress.

We question the Comelec’s basis for denying us the accreditation. From the very start Kalikasan has been clear that it represents not the environment itself but the marginalized sectors that have been gravely affected, for so many decades, by disasters brought about by the destruction of the environment. These include the urban and rural poor, women, professionals, youth and students.

Kalikasan is a pro-people, pro-Filipino and pro-environment multisectoral party composed of individuals from marginalized and underrepresented communities and sectors. We recognize that environmental problems affect the poorest of the poor in the Philippines and are also rooted in the control of natural resources by the country’s wealthy elite.

The environmental movement from which Kalikasan originated has a track record of almost 15 years of promoting, advocating and struggling for the interests of the marginalized, underrepresented and vulnerable sectors in Philippine society. We have spearheaded many major environmental campaigns and actions around the nation, especially involving poor and marginalized communities affected by climate change and other environmental problems.

Kalikasan will challenge the Comelec’s decision in the Supreme Court and assert our accreditation and recognition to participate in the party-list system as guaranteed by Republic Act 7941. With or without accreditation, we will continue to serve the marginalized and underrepresented sectors that are bearing the full impacts of environmental destruction and degradation.

—CLEMENTE BAUTISTA JR.,

national president,

Kalikasan Party List,

[email protected]